via The Daily Green:

“A 2004 analysis by Toyota found that as much as 28% of the carbon dioxide emissions generated during the lifecycle of a typical gasoline-powered car can occur during its manufacture and its transportation to the dealer; the remaining emissions occur during driving once its new owner takes possession. An earlier study by Seikei University in Japan put the pre-purchase number at 12%.

Regardless of which conclusion is closer to the truth, your current car has already passed its manufacture and transport stage, so going forward the relevant comparison has only to do with its remaining footprint against that of a new car’s manufacture/transport and driver’s footprint — not to mention the environmental impact of either disposing of your old car or selling it to a new owner who will continue to drive it. There are environmental impacts, too, even if your old car is junked, dismantled and sold for parts.

And don’t forget that the new hybrids — despite lower emissions and better gas mileage — actually have a much larger environmental impact in their manufacture, compared to non-hybrids. The batteries that store energy for the drive train are no friend to the environment — and having two engines under one hood increases manufacturing emissions. And all-electric vehicles are only emission-free if the outlet providing the juice is connected to a renewable energy source, not a coal-burning power plant, as is more likely.”

 

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It’s noteworthy that the business model proposed by MDI for the manufacture and distribution of their Compressed Air Vehicles is based on producing and selling the vehicles locally. Each franchise has it’s own territory, which greatly reduces the ultimate carbon foot print of each car. This model eliminates the need to transport each car several times over thousands of miles before it’s eventually sold.

The argument presented in this article is based on the assumption that the newer greener vehicle is produced the same way the older one is. For the most part, this is true of all the current alternative options we have available. If and when the Air Cars reach production, they will be charged with electricity, but without the use of multiple batteries containing toxic chemicals. Even the best of today’s batteries have a relatively short projected life span, and would have to be disposed of and replaced within several years. The electricity used to charge them could also be generated using alternative sources such as wind and solar. 

The MDI proposal to build and sell cars within a franchised structure is revolutionary within the automotive industry, and there will certainly be many challenges. But I do believe it could work. As I’ve said before: The next time you drive through town, notice how many franchise based businesses you see, and then tell me you’re sure it could never work.